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UFPD Officer Arrested On Suspected Child Abuse Charge

Henri Belleville
Henri Belleville

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office arrested a University of Florida police officer late Wednesday night on a suspected child abuse charge.

Henri Belleville, 41, was arrested on a charge of third-degree felony child abuse without great bodily harm. The arrest came after a school official reported possible abuse when a teacher saw a bump and a red mark on a child's face.

UFPD Chief Linda Stump-Kurnick "immediately" placed Belleville on administrative leave, said Maj. Brad Barber, the UFPD Public Information Officer.

In 2011, Stump-Kurnick honored Belleville for his part in saving Gainesville Police Department Maj. Rick Hanna’s life in an incident at Gainesville Health & Fitness Center.

Belleville was released on recognizance at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Stump-Kurnick could not be reached for comment.

Debora is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.